Punch and die assemblies

ABSTRACT

There is described a punch and die assembly for sheet materials which provides the operator with the ability to visually index the material to be punched.

United States Patent [191 Brown July 24, 1973 PUNCH AND DIE ASSEMBLIES [76] Inventor: Stanley A. Brown, R.F.D. No. 1,

Lebanon, NH. 03766 [22] Filed: Aug. 17, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 64,204

[52] US. Cl. 83/520 [51] Int. Cl B26d 7/00 [58] Field of Search 83/520 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,730,173 l/l956 Brescka 83/520 X 3,576,148 4/1971 Katz 83/520 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,187,223 2/l965 Germany 83/520 Primary Examiner-Andrew R. .luhasz Assistant ExaminerDavid R. Melton Att0meyWilliam N. Anastos [57] ABSTRACT There is described a punch and die assembly for sheet materials which provides the operator with the ability to visually index the material to be punched.

11 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure PUNCH AND DIE ASSEMBLIES During the course of cytogenetic studies it is often necessary to produce karyotypes. As a general process outline in their production, photomicrographs are first prepared of the chromosomal complements of a cell in the desired stage of meiotic or mitotic division. Next, each of the chromosomes is identified and cut from the micrograph. Where, as often occurs by chance, two or more chromosomes overlap each other on a specific micrograph, several photomicrographic prints are employed and each of the overlapping chromosomes is cut from separate prints. Finally, the karyotype is prepared by permanent arrangement of the chromosome cutouts in their appropriate order. Thereafter, the karyotype master, prepared in accordance with the general procedure outlined above, may be utilized as a convenient, well-ordered reference by the geneticist. Thus, for example, if aberrations of a particular chromosome are being studied, the production and use of karyotypes greatly simplifies the task of reviewing many micrographic records without the necessity of first searching for and identifying the particular chromosome of interest.

Heretofore, the preparation of karyotypes has been a slow and arduous task due in large measure to the print cutting step. Said step often requires that the chromosome be cut from the micrographic print as close to its outline as possible. This requirement is generally present because the micrographed chromosomes of such cell preparations tend to be congested or close to one another, particularly when the species under investigation bears a relatively large chromosomal complement (e.g., about 38 or more). Ordinarily, this cutting step is accomplished by use of fine scissors or modeling knives. The use of punch and die assemblies of the prior art to accomplish this task is not known to have been successfully practiced because such prior art apparatus does not ordinarily provide the operator with the ability to index the subject chromosomes between the die and punch with sufficient accuracy. Indeed, when punches of the prior art are placed in position over the micrographic print said punches tend to entirely obliterate the image to be punched. in accordance with the present invention, however, this problem has been virtually wholly overcome.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide novel punch and die assemblies.

It is another object of the invention to provide punch and die assemblies wherein the object material to be punched may be accurately indexed between the die and punch members.

it is yet another object to provide punch and die assemblies wherein the object material to be punched I part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The above and other objects are achieved in the instant invention by provision of a punch and die assembly in which the punch member is provided with a visual pathway through which the material to be punched may be observed. In addition, a die table assembly comprising a die plate and a transparent plate spaced in a coplanar manner thereabove provides further facility in accurately aligning the object sheet material for punching.

A better understanding of the present invention can be had by reference to the drawing forming part hereof wherein there is provided a schematic, isometric, partially sectional view of a punch and die assembly of the invention including several preferred embodiments thereof.

Referring now to said drawing, the punch and die assembly of the instant invention generally comprises die table 1 and one or more punch members 20. Die table 1 comprises die plate 5, desirably composed of a hard metallic material such as steel and having at least one die aperture 7 therethrough adapted to receive a punch member 20 in cutting relationship therewith. Preferably, a plurality of such die apertures 7 are provided of several shapes and sizes, each such aperture adapted to receive a respective punch member 20.

Another important feature of die table 1 resides in the presence of transparent plate 9 positioned in coplanar and spaced relationship with the upper surface 6 of die plate 5. Said transparent plate 9 bears an aperture 11 positioned above each die aperture 7. The lower opening 13 of each said aperture 11 is desirably of the same or only slightly greater dimensions than each die aperture 7 served thereby. Further, each such aperture 11 may be slightly chamfered or beveled so as to open up slightly towards the upper surface thereof. The provision of such beveled or chamfered upper openings 15 improves the facility by which punch members 20 may be inserted and indexed over their respective die apertures 7.

The spacing of the transparent plate 9 from the upper surface 6 of die plate 5 may be accomplished by means of spacing shims 17 positioned between the respective plate members. Also, fasteners 19 may be employed to maintain die plate 5, transparent plate 9 and shims 17 in firm position relative to one another. The particular width of the spacing to be employed will depend largely upon the sheet material to be punched and its thickness. Suffice it to say, therefore, that the spacing to be provided between upper surface 6 of die plate 5 and lower surface 8 of transparent plate 9 should allow free movement of the sheet material to be punched therebetween and, at the same time, prevent substantial curling or buckling thereof. For instance, in processing double weight photographic paper of about 0.007 inch thickness 1 have found a spacing of about 0.010 inch between plates 5 and 9 to be generally satisfactory.

Transparent plate 9 serves at least three highly advantageous functions. Firstly, apertures 11 thereof serve to properly align punch members 20 with their respective die apertures 7. Secondly, the use in the construction thereof of a transparent material, such as polymethylmethacrylate, glass, polycarbonate, polystyrene and the like also confers the ability to relatively accurately index the sheet material to be punched over the appropriate die aperture 7. Thirdly, transparent plate 9, spaced apart from and coacting with upper surface 6 of die plate 5, materially aids in maintaining the sheet material to be punched in a coplanar relationship with said upper surface 6 of die plate 5. This advantage is particularly important where photographic materials such as prints and negatives are the intended objects to be punched since such photographic materials often tend to bend markedly toward their emulsion sides and are therefore usually extremely difficult to index accurately with many of the punch and die assemblies of the prior art. If desired, transparent plate 9 may often be beneficially tinted so as to provide color contrast between those portions of the sheet material actually overlying die apertures 7 and those portions which reside outside the perimeter of said apertures. ln this manner, visual indexing of the sheet material is further simplified. Also, it is advantageous to provide die table 1 with sufficient reach to enable the sheet material to be punched to be moved between plates and 9 with as little restriction as practicable. Accordingly, it is generally preferable to (l) dispose die apertures 7 and apertures 11 of plate 9 toward the front portion of die table 1 assembly and (2) provide sufficient free space rearwardly of said die apertures 7 to allow substantially complete insertion of the object sheet material to be punched between plates 5 and 9. For example, where photographic prints of 5 X 7 dimensions are to be processed, it is highly desirable that the distance between the front of die table 1 and front edges 18 of shims 17 be at least about 5 inches. Obviously, it is also preferred that the space formed between plates 5 and 9 at the sides and front thereof be substantially completely obstructionless.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, die table 1 is additionally equipped with receptacle 21 which serves as a convenient depository for the punched portions of the sheet material. Desirably, said receptacle 21, such as a drawer or tray disposed under die plate 5, is sufficiently shallow so as to prevent tumbling of the punched pieces as much as possible. This is a quite desirable feature where photographic prints such as the aforementioned m sw ph atet e h et, ea eries to be P hed. since it assures that the image sides of the punched pieces will face upwardly in receptacle 2] and will thus be readily removable therefrom in position for immediate use. Receptacle 21 may be conveniently suspended under die plate 5 such as by means of flange members 22 attached to die plate 5 and lateral mating flanges 23 provided on receptacle 21. Said flanges 22 and 23 engage in sliding relationship with respect to one another. It should be noted that when the preferred shallow receptacle 21 is employed, it will also be necessary to provide appropriate limiting means for punch members in order to limit the thrust of the punch bodies 38 through apertures 7 of die plate 5. and thereby prevent punch faces 24 from coming into contact with the bottom 25 ofreceptacle 2]. Appropriate means for accomplishing this limiting function will be described'in more detail hereinbelow. Additionally. die table I can be'p'rovided with legs 27 to provide enough room helow plate 5 and above the surface for receptacle 2], or'to allow punched pieces to readily collect on the surfacebelow plate 5.

Turning now to the design and construction of punch members 20, it is of principal importance that each of said members he provided with a visual pathway through which the sheet material object may be viewed while it and said punch members 20 are in position for punching. Said visual pathway may be provided in any suitable manner. For instance, punch members 20 may be fabricated of a transparent solid material such as those disclosed previously in my discussion relating to transparent plate9 construc- 3 tion. Thus, as shown for punch members 20A and 20D in the drawing, the material of construction employed can alone provide the necessary visual pathway through which the object sheet material may be viewed. Generally, when the material of construction is to provide the necessary visual pathway, the polymeric materials will be preferred over glass unless. of course, said glass is tempered or otherwise treated so as to render the finished punch member 20 substantially impact resistant. Further, when a poly meric material is employed as the material of con-- struction, it will often be advantageous that depressions 32 be provided in striking surfaces 34 in order to avoid abrasion or scratching thereof by whatever striking device may be employed to force punch faces 24 through the object sheet material and die apertures 7. Additionally, referring now specifically to punch member 20D, substantial reduetion of wear and tear during operations may be effected by providing a relatively narrow metal band 36 circum scribing the vertical surfaces of the bottom portion of polymeric punch body 38. Said band is preferably constructed of or plated with a hard or hardened metal such as steel, hard chrome plate, or anodized aluminum, and may be applied to polymeric punch body 38 such as by glueing, shrink fitting or the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, referring now to punch members 208 and 20C, the material of construction employed is a metal and the visual pathways are provided for by use of tubular construction. Said tubular metallic punch members normally provide substantially longer service lives than are available from the presently commercially available polymeric solid materials while preserving the necessary visual pathway vertically therethrough. Thus, when punch members of this type are placed in position through apertures 1 l of plate 9 and over the object sheet material, viewing of said object material may be had by sighting through view bases 40. In another preferred embodiment, referring to punch member 20B, a magnifying lens is disposed within said tubular metallic punch member. Obviously a magnifying lens could be mounted just above a punch member, if desired.

As mentioned previously, die members 20 are preferably provided with suitable limiting means adapted to limit the thrust of punch bodies 38 through die plate 5. When a receptable 21 is provided beneath die plate 5, particularly a shallow receptacle, the provision of said limiting means rises greatly in importance in order to avoid damage to the object being punched, receptacle bottom 25, and/or punch faces 24. Said limiting function may be conveniently served by the provision or rims or shoulders 44 at an appropriate location along the lengths of each of punch bodies 38. The length chosen should be such that punch face 24 is allowed to penetrate substantially completely through aperture 7 of die plate 5 and yet be prevented from contact with bottom 25 of receptacle 21. In operation, shoulders 44 come to rest against upper surface 10 of transparent plate 9, thereby preventing further penetration of punch bodies 38 through apertures 7 of die plate 5. In a preferred embodiment, referring to punch member 20B, shoulder 44 is further provided with a shockabsorbing means 46 about the periphery thereof. The presence of such a shock absorbing means, which may be simply an elastomeric composition such as a rubber 0 ring, can provide substantial abrasion and impact protection to transparent plate 9. In still another embodiment, referring to punch member 20C, retraction means adapted to at least partially withdraw punch body 38 from its bottom-most penetrated position through aperture 7 is provided. Said retraction is served by compression spring 48 disposed about punch body 38 and abutting shoulder or rim 44. When punch body 38 of said punch member 20C is struck through its respective aperture 7, spring 48 is compressed between said shoulder 44 and upper surface 10 of transparent plate 9, thereby urging retraction of punch body 38.

Obviously, many changes and equivalents may be provided in the drawing and specific description appearing hereinabove without departing from the intended spirit or scope of my invention. For instance, while the discussion has been generally directed toward apparatus specifically adapted to punch photographic sheet materials such as prints and negatives or positives, it is obvious that the punch and die assembly of the present invention is also well adapted for use on many other sheet materials such as paper, newsprint, metal foil, shim stock, wood, polymers, elastomers and the like. I

Also, die plate 5 can comprise a tough light transmitting or luminescent plastic so that light provided below plate 5 will be transmitted therethrough.

Also, the specific shapes and sizes of punch members and apertures 7 and 11 may be altered to suit the a. a die table comprising(i) a die plate means having at least one aperture adapted to receive a punch means therethrough in shearing relationship, and (ii) a transparent plate means spaced above and away from said die plate means in substantially c0- planar relationship therewith and having an aperture therethrough corresponding to and positioned above each aperture in said die plate means; and

(b) corresponding to each said die plate aperture.

a punch means having a visual pathway therethrough through which sheet material objects to be punched can be observed.

2. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 wherein said die plate is provided with a receptacle therebelow capable of collecting punched pieces.

3. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 wherein said punch means comprise a transparent solid material.

4. The punch and die assembly of claim 3 wherein the bottom edges of said punch means comprise a metal band.

5. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 wherein said punch means comrpise a metal and are of tubular construction.

6. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 wherein at last on punch means is associated with a magnifying lens.

7. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 wherein said punch means are provided with means adapted to limit thrust length.

8. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 wherein said punch means are provided with shock absorbing means.

9. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 provided with a plurality of punch means of differing sizes.

10. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 provided with a plurality of punch means of differing shapes.

11. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 wherein each punch means is provided with retraction means adapted to at least partially withdraw the body portion of said punch means from the bottom-most position of said body portion. 

1. A punch and die assembly comprising in combination: a. a die table comprising (i) a die plate means having at least one aperture adapted to receive a punch means therethrough in shearing relationship, and (ii) a transparent plate means spaced above and away from said die plate means in substantially coplanar relationship therewith and having an aperture therethrough corresponding to and positioned above each aperture in said die plate means; and b. corresponding to each said die plate aperture, a punch means having a visual pathway therethrough through which sheet material objects to be punched can be observed.
 2. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 wherein said die plate is provided with a receptacle therebelow capable of collecting punched pieces.
 3. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 wherein said punch means comprise a transparent solid material.
 4. The punch and die assembly of claim 3 wherein the bottom edges of said punch means comprise a metal band.
 5. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 wherein said punch means comrpise a metal and are of tubular construction.
 6. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one punch means is associated with a magnifying lens.
 7. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 wherein said punch means are provided with means adapted to limit thrust length.
 8. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 wherein said punch means are provided with shock absorbing means.
 9. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 provided with a plurality of punch means of differing sizes.
 10. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 provided with a plurality of punch means of differing shapes.
 11. The punch and die assembly of claim 1 wherein each punch means is provided with retraction means adapted to at least partially withdraw the body portion of said punch means from the bottom-most position of said body portion. 